Africa: Cows Skin Market 2025

Cows Skin Market Size in Africa

After two years of decline, the African cows skin market increased by 13% to $X in 2021. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Cows Skin Production in Africa

In value terms, cows skin production amounted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Nigeria (X tons), Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) and Ethiopia (X tons), with a combined 28% share of total production. Egypt, South Africa, Tanzania, Algeria, Kenya, Sudan, Uganda, Somalia, Morocco and Angola lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 38%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Somalia (with a CAGR of +8.9%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cows Skin Exports

Exports in Africa

After two years of growth, overseas shipments of raw hides and skins of bovine animals decreased by -52% to X tons in 2021. Overall, exports recorded a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 128%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cows skin exports reduced notably to $X in 2021. In general, exports faced a abrupt setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 154% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Tanzania was the major exporter of raw hides and skins of bovine animals in Africa, with the volume of exports accounting for X tons, which was near 38% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Sudan (X tons) and Rwanda (X tons), together achieving a 32% share of total exports. Ethiopia (X tons), Madagascar (X tons), Somalia (X tons), Malawi (X tons), Botswana (X tons), Egypt (X tons) and Tunisia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Tanzania increased at an average annual rate of +51.3% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Ethiopia (+59.8%) and Sudan (+3.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Ethiopia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +59.8% from 2012-2021. Rwanda experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Malawi (-3.0%), Egypt (-4.0%), Somalia (-4.9%), Madagascar (-7.9%), Tunisia (-17.9%) and Botswana (-30.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Tanzania, Sudan, Rwanda and Ethiopia increased by +38, +12, +6.4 and +4.4 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Tanzania ($X) remains the largest cows skin supplier in Africa, comprising 59% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Sudan ($X), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by Rwanda, with a 5.4% share.

In Tanzania, cows skin exports increased at an average annual rate of +63.7% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Sudan (-3.4% per year) and Rwanda (-6.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 1.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, continues to indicate a pronounced curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 23% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Tanzania ($X per ton), while Tunisia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tanzania (+8.2%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Cows Skin Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2021, approx. X tons of raw hides and skins of bovine animals were imported in Africa; jumping by 31% on the year before. In general, imports showed a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 75% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, cows skin imports dropped to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 113%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, and then contracted in the following year.

Imports by Country

Nigeria (X tons) and Ghana (X tons) prevails in imports structure, together mixing up 90% of total imports. Kenya (X tons) and South Africa (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Nigeria (with a CAGR of +47.1%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Nigeria ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported raw hides and skins of bovine animals in Africa, comprising 66% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Ghana ($X), with a 24% share of total imports. It was followed by Kenya, with a 4.8% share.

In Nigeria, cows skin imports expanded at an average annual rate of +38.8% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Ghana (+11.9% per year) and Kenya (-8.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, with a decrease of -33.4% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a abrupt downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the import price increased by 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Nigeria ($X per ton), while South Africa ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ghana (-5.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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